Jin Guangyao starts to say something that sounds so much like the beginning of a fear that La Xichen has harbored ever since the revelations at Guanyin Temple and Lan Xichen draws in a rough breath in echo of his brother's. Trembling right next to him, the younger man looks fragile and alone, and Lan Xichen can't help the feeling wrenching in his gut when he sees the tears. He's already pale and looking more frayed than before, even though their conversation hasn't been that long. He looks at his brother in silence, lips trembling a bit as he struggles for words, then seems to find some sort of courage a rallies.

"Don't hold back what you want to say." His voice isn't as strong as he wants it to be, but he tries to be confident through his response. "You keep so much from me. I used to think that no one could see how patient and noble you really are because they simply refused to see it. I thought that I saw someone different in you because you allowed me to see you. But I was wrong in the end too. I just want you to trust me."